For a moment, time stretched into something endless. Des’s eyes roamed her face, though she had no idea what he was searching for.
“I’m all right,” she whispered finally, and he scrambled off of her, lifting her to her feet before she could process what had happened.
“The girl is dead,” Daisy panted behind them. “The boy got away.”
She was speaking to Des, but he was still focused on Aurelie, his hands on her shoulders, his eyes scanning her body as though he couldn’t believe she was in one piece. She still held her iron blade in her right hand, though it hung limp at her side. It was a wonder she could even stand.
“I’m all right,” she repeated, and that seemed to bring him back to himself.
“What the hell just happened?” he asked no one in particular, running his free hand through his hair.
Aurelie took a deep, shuddering breath. “I believe they were twins. They looked very similar, and it would explain them appearing in the same place at the same time.”
Daisy nodded. “Thank goodness you’re okay,” she said, patting Des on the shoulder. “I was afraid the giant here had squished you.”
“That would have been quite the headline,” Aurelie said with a surprised laugh. “?‘Destroyer Whitlow Crushes University Student to Death.’?”
Daisy let out her own puff of laughter. “Destroyer?”
Aurelie shrugged. “It fits.”
Des shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a play on Destrier,” Aurelie replied.
His eyes hooded in annoyance. “Thank you, Aurelie. I understand the play on words. I meant the demons. They attacked simultaneously. I’ve never seen two demons coordinate an attack before.”
“The connection between twins is extremely strong,” Aurelie explained, sheathing her blade and starting for the gates. She hoped her knees wouldn’t give out before she reached them.
“But to take on three adults like that?” Daisy shook her head in a similar disbelieving manner to Des. “We should get back and tell Commander Yew. Someone needs to track the male.”
“Redding and Bowie are on duty tonight,” Des said. “I’ll find them.”
Aurelie fumbled for her key in her collar with shaking fingers. All she wanted was to get to her lab and change into her softest nightgown and go to sleep. The runes could wait till morning.
“No,” Daisy said. “We’re going back, Des. We’re not properlyarmed. If Aurelie hadn’t had her own blade to defend herself...” She trailed off, and suddenly both Des and Daisy were staring at Aurelie in a way she didn’t care for at all.
“What?” she asked. “The guard gave it to me. He thought it would be a good idea for when I leave campus, after the attack last month.” It was a good lie, all things considered. Aurelie was rather proud of it.
“Whitlow? Shaw?” A pair of guards was coming toward them from across the street. “What are you doing out here?”
“I’ll explain,” Daisy said, sharing a look with Des.
Dash it. Aurelie finally fished her key out from her collar and held it aloft. “I should get back. It’s late and I have more studying tonight.”
“Not so fast,” Des said, stepping between her and the gate. “You’re telling me you just got that blade tonight?”
“Yes...”
“And you’re that comfortable wielding it.”
“It’s not that hard,” Aurelie said with feigned offense, skirting around him. “Handle in hand, pointy end in demon.”
His eyebrows lowered in what Aurelie now knew was not a good sign. “Aurelie.”
“Des.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”